Mayor under pressure over renewing Uber’s licence

The Mayor is facing calls to ensure the licence of car hailing app Uber is not renewed, unless the company improves its working practices.

The London Assembly is extremely concerned about the effects of these practices on other PHV operators, black cabs and even their own drivers.

A motion agreed today by the Assembly also calls for the Mayor to have the powers to cap the number of private hire licences.

David Kurten AM, who proposed the original motion said:

“The Mayor pledged in his election campaign to revoke Uber’s licence if there was just case of poor practice as he would not compromise on Londoners’ safety.

One year on from his election he has renewed Uber’s operating licence despite grave concerns about Uber’s working practices, driver safety, increased allegations of sexual assaults by Uber drivers, tax avoidance and the potential quagmire of alleged corruption between Uber’s previous bosses and members of David Cameron’s administration.

I believe there are now so many problems caused by Uber’s practices that they do not deserve any more chances. It is time to pull the plug on Uber in London - unless it does something dramatic about its working practices.”

Navin Shah AM, who proposed the amended motion said:

"To say Uber’s working practices leave a lot to be desired is an understatement. We know this isn't just taking its toll on Uber drivers but on the wider private hire industry and on cabbies too.

Unless Uber begins to demonstrate better working practice, TfL shouldn't be renewing its licence in the Autumn. In the meantime, the government must respond to the Mayor’s request for a cap on private hire vehicles so their increasing numbers on London’s roads can be adequately managed."

The full text of the Motion is:

“This Assembly notes that TfL, of which the Mayor is chairman, has renewed Uber’s Operating Licence in London for a period of four months from May 2017 to September 2017.

This Assembly is appalled at some of the work practices of Uber and is extremely concerned about the effects of these practices on other PHV operators, black cabs and even their own drivers.

This Assembly supports the Mayor’s request to Government that TfL be given the powers to cap the number of PHV licences and calls on him, in his capacity as chairman of TfL, not to renew Uber’s Operating Licence in London when it comes up for renewal in September 2017 unless it improves its working practices.”

David Kurten AM - Uber motion

Notes to editors

David Kurten AM, who proposed the original motion and Navin Shah AM, who proposed the amended motion are available for interviews. Please see contact details below.

As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

For media enquiries, please contact Alison Bell on 020 7983 4428. For out of hours media enquiries, call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the London Assembly duty press officer. Non-media enquiries should be directed to the Public Liaison Unit on 020 7983 4100.